Upward of 40,000 folks are expected at this year’s Summit County Fair, running Tuesday through Sunday at the fairgrounds in Tallmadge.
The traditional lineup of activities includes 4-H competitions and livestock auction, carnival-style rides and midway games, lots of food vendors, and a schedule of car and truck demonstrations and entertainment at the grandstand.
But there are a handful of new things this year as well, said Theresa Call, vice president of the Summit County Agricultural Society.
On Thursday, the fair will attempt what it had to cancel because of rain last year: an open-class truck pull. Any registrant can compete to see how much weight (and to what distance) their street vehicles can pull.
Also for the first time, the fair is hosting a “rough truck” competition — a timed obstacle course for cars and trucks of every variety. Because that event had to be scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, the fair’s popular Demolition Derby has been moved to Wednesday this year, Call said.
Children might also enjoy a new hands-on exhibit featuring an artificial cow that can be milked, Call said. It’s part of an educational display on where milk comes from and how dairy products are made.
This year’s musical headliner is country music singer Joe Diffie, who will perform Friday during designated “Country Day.”
Back by popular demand is the Great Brad, a regular known for his magic shows.
Festivities will kick off Tuesday with a special recognition of Call’s Farm in Stow, which has been named an Ohio Century Farm.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture program recognizes farms that are certified to be in the same family for 100 years. The farm will be acknowledged during this year’s opening ceremony at noon in the main midway.
Call’s Farm hasn’t been a working farm for a couple of decades, but its collection of trees makes it a designated conservation area.
Theresa Call’s in-laws, Jean and Charles Call, own the property.
“If it was still a working farm, it would have been fifth-generation,” said Theresa Call, who is married to Howard Call. Over the years, the farm was home to dairy cattle, chickens and assorted crops.
“They sold more than 100 acres for development, but it’s still considered a tree farm,” she said.
The fair, at 229 E. Howe Road, runs from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday — with rides, games and vendors beginning operations at noon each day.
Admission is $6 for ages 8 and older most days.
Seniors and veterans can get in for $1 Wednesday. Also, anyone arriving with a canned or boxed food item for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank will get in for $1 if arriving before 4 p.m.
Children 14 and younger can get in free Thursday. Also, tickets are $3 for anyone on Friday arriving before 3 p.m.
Grandstand events are $6 for ages 3 and older for all shows, and all-day ride passes run between $10 and $15.
For a complete schedule, visit www.summitfair.com.
Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/paulaschleis.